2011 Pro Cycling Highlights

No. 3: Alberto Contador Rules the Giro

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Though he was—and still is—dogged by accusations of a doping violation stemming from a positive test for clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France, Alberto Contador maintained his usual dominance at the 2011 Giro d’Italia, winning the Italian grand tour by a yawning six minutes, 10 seconds over second-placed Michele Scarponi. Contador also scored the points jersey, and snared a pair of stage wins. The triumph gave the Saxo Bank rider six grand tour wins for his career, and though he wasn’t able to add to the tally at the Tour de France, Contador remains the world’s most feared stage racer.

“As soon as I’m at a race, I’m thinking about winning,” Contador told Bicycling. “Competition is what motivates me to train. A lot of guys are focused on the Tour, and that’s fine. But me, I need to win all year long.”